Device especially applicable to agricultural machinery



L. MURRAY DEVICE ESPECiALLY APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY Filed Ndv. 17, 1922.

f/w/en for 1 Murray Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

UNITED lsTATEs Parent OFFIGIE.

DEVICE ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY.

Application filed November 17, 1922. Serial No. 601,610.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LEONARD MURRAY, a.

citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia, and residentof 260 Barkly Street,.l;ootscray,

near Melbourne, in the State of Victoria,

Commonwealth of Australia, has invented certain new and usefful Improvements in Devices. Especially Applicable to Agricultural Machinery, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in elevators conveyors, floats and aprons especially applicable to agricultural machinery although the invention may be applied to any form of mechanism wherein elevators or the like are a necessary integer.

Hitherto it has been found that by constructing elevators or the like in the estab lished manner that the slats or battens are continually breaking which necessitates various operations in order to remove the damaged slat or batten and replace same by a new one.

When a slat or batten becomes broken or otherwise damaged sufficiently to prevent it from performing its allotted duty, it has to be cut from the canvas, leather or other belt by means of cold chisels the machine to which the elevator is fitted being thrown out of action until such time as the elevator is rendered fit for further use.

Also the existing method of constructing the elevators is a costly one and upkeep is large, and by the time a harvest is completed the cost of repairs and loss of time through damaged elevators is so great as to have led to the devising of the present invention.

Although it will be obvious that the elevators may be applied to most implements wherein the elevators form a necessary integer I will describe my invention as for use with an agricultural machine and in order to more readily understand the invention it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing an elevator constructed according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a part plan view showing a method of securing the battens or slats from becoming detached.

Figure 3 is a part plan View of a modification of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a part plan View showing an alternative method of joining the ends of the elevator.

According to this invention the canvas,

leather orother suitable apron 1 is adapted .to move on rollers23 mounted on spindles "Z -3f the opposing ends ot the apron I belng'. Joined by means of straps A engaging buckles '5, the straps and buckles being disposed under flap 6' which is securedto the apron 1' in any suitable manner;

Secured" to the" apron 1 and preferably by one ormore rows of st1tch1-1rgare envelopes or sheaths 7 arranged transversely across the face of the apron, the envelopes being adapted to rigidly accommodate slats or battens 8 which are prevented from displacement by means of flexible end pieces 9 which are secured through the sheath or envelope 7 and into the slats or battens 8 by means of screws 10. i

The object of having the straps 4t and buckles 5 under a flap 6 is for eliminating obstruction and prevent the material being elevated from getting under the apron 1 and rollers 2-3.

As an alternative as regards maintaining the slats or battens within the sheaths or envelopes 7 a spring 11 substantially of the shape shown i113 which is adapted to pass around the ends of the slats or battens 8 and engage a depression 12 formed on each side and at both ends of the battens or slats 8 may be used.

The envelope or sheath 7 would also be forced into the depressions 12 of the battens or slats so that they would be prevented from displacement.

In lieu of the buckles and straps for joining the opposing ends of the apron 1 lacing 13 could be adopted with equal result, the lacing being disposed under the flap 6 in the same manner as when buckles are used.

Should a batten or slat 8 become broken or otherwise damaged so as to render it unfit for further use one or both of the flexible end pieces 9 is or are removed by taking out screws 10 which enables the damaged batten or slat to be withdrawn and replaced by another one.

By the use of the spring 11 to keep the slats or battens 8 within the envelopes or sheaths 7 all that is necessary in order to withdraw a damaged batten or slat is to remove the spring 11 and withdraw the batten and replace by a new one.

Thus I have described and illustrated an improved elevator capable of greater use and life than those used at the present time, the use of Which prevents the frequent stoppage of Work through material lodging between the slats or battens 8 and the apron 1 and by fixing the slats or battens 8 in the manner described no rivets or other similar fastenings are necessary in order to keep the slats or battens in their places.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An improved elevator, comprising, an apron, pockets on the apron, slats fitted in the pockets, and means for holding the slats rigidly in position in the pocket-s, each said means comprising depressions formed in the ends of a slat, and a flat armed spring, the arms being received in the depressions.

2. An improved elevator having slats, comprising, an endless apron, envelopes of fabric sewn to the apron to form covers for the slats of the elevator, a slat in each envelope, and pieces fitted With readily detachable fasteners, covering the ends of the slats and preventing the displacement thereof, substantially as described.

3.. In an elevator, conveyor or the like, an apron, envelopes on the apron, slats in the envelopes, each envelope extending over the sides and top of its slat, and being sewn at either side thereof to the apron and transversely across theface thereof, depressions in the ends of each slat, and end pieces, each comprising a detachable spring clip adapted to press the envelope at the ends into the depressions formed in the ends of the slats for detachably retaining the slats in position in their envelopes, substantially as described.

Signed at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, this 21st day of September 1922.

LEONARD MURRAY. 

